Tag: music

Every December since 2008, members of UNESCO’s cultural committee meet to decide which of the world’s cultural traditions will be honored for the previous year.
﻿This year, 31 traditions were recognized by UNESCO, and 14 of them are in MIR’s destinations. Read More

If you can travel to only one country in Central Asia, it should be Uzbekistan. Centered at the heart of the Silk Road, this exotic nation has been the region's cradle of culture for well over two millennia, laying claim to three of the most renowned caravan cities — Samarkand, Bukhara, and Khiva.
Uzbeks are famous for their strong code of hospitality, and despite modern changes, people here have held fast to traditions that have changed little throughout the centuries. Here's just a few of our favorite ways to connect with Uzbekistan's down-to-earth locals and savor a slice of real Silk Road culture. Read More

But besides their complicated histories and red-roofed capitals, there are other reasons to travel to the Baltics. Here are two striking elements for each of these yet-to-be-discovered countries that make them so arresting. Read More

In the remote desert region of western Uzbekistan lies the small city of Nukus. It’s here that you’ll find the famous Savitsky Art Museum, which houses a massive collection of banned Russian avant-garde art.
On a recent trip to Uzbekistan, MIR staffers caught some footage of a traditional Karakalpak musical performance while touring the Savitsky Museum. The footage highlights two distinct musical styles and types of performers.
Musicians once held a most important role in Karakalpak society, acting as both singers and storytellers. They were an essential part of special occasions and weddings, many of which lasted for days, sometimes weeks. Read More

Svaneti is a ravishing mountain region of Georgia, home of the self-sufficient Svan people, whose traditions and culture have survived for thousands of years, thanks to the region’s remoteness. Tell anyone down in the capital that you’re on your way to Svaneti and they get a far-away look in their eyes and admit they wish they could go with you.
As untouched as it has been until now, Svaneti is beginning incrementally to change and modernize. The time to visit is now, before these changes sweep away the rituals and practices perfectly suited to an isolated and challenging environment.
Here are 6 reasons Svaneti is an unrivaled favorite – in Georgia, and among discerning travelers... Read More

In Uzbekistan, traditional folk songs are known as Ashula. Ashula reflects the diverse influences that shaped the region’s music as well as the inner feelings, hopes, loves and attitudes of the natives. One of the types of Ashula is called Katta Ashula, which literally means big or great song.
The tradition of Katta Ashula is popular in the Fergana Valley, where many languages and cultures come together. Folk singers from Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan have mastered this traditional style. It requires special training, a strong voice and the ability to improvise - which is illustrated in this video. Read More

MIR Tour Manager extraordinaire Martin Klimenta is also an accomplished photographer and videographer.
On a recent departure of MIR's Ancient Persia – Modern Iran small group tour, he filmed some footage of traditional Persian music performances in Tehran and Kerman. Enjoy this video of those performances. Read More

A MIR traveler shares a video of a Trans-Siberian highlight: Kazan, Tatarstan, home to Russia' legendary opera star, Fyodor Shalyapin, with a concert from his repertoire. Famous for his portrayal of Boris in Mussorgsky's opera, "Boris Gudonov," Shalyapin also sang folk songs, including a 1902 recording of "Song of the Volga Boatmen" that skyrocketed him to fame, earning a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Read More

Volya is a native Belarusian. She was born and raised in the capital city of Minsk. Now, years later and a continent away, Volya is the lead singer in a Belarusian folk group that she organized, VOLYA, based in Seattle, Washington. The singers proudly wear hand-made traditional folk costumes that were donated to Volya by Belarusian villagers.
Watch her performance of the winter solstice song, “Kaza,” at the Northwest Folklife Festival in Seattle. Read More

Traveler Reviews

Iran Business Portal, a leading source of information on Iranian business news with opinions and reports on its emerging market, featured an article on the popularity of Iranian tourism. Featuring quotes from MIR Vice President Annie Lucas, the article is informative and gives readers a sense of Iran’s allure as a travel destination, rounded out with examples of the overwhelming hospitality shown by everyday Iranian citizens.Read the full article on the Iran Business Portal website.